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Microsoft updates YouTube app to disable downloads, but still not showing ads
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Nokia Lumia 521 now available on T-Mobile’s website
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Citrix Receiver announced for Windows Phone 8
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Ting dates Sprint’s Windows Phone 8 handsets to “late June or early July”
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Trivial Pursuit, 3 other classic EA games now available for all Windows Phones. Plus: new Nokia exclusives arrive
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Nokia Uses Man Of Steel Movie To Promote Nokia Lumia 925
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Source confirms Nokia EOS will have 41 megapixel camera, coming very soon
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Microsoft defies Google, WP YouTube app still available
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SIM-free Nokia Lumia 925 only expected in July for a pricy £589.99
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T-Mobile USA Nokia Lumia 925 hands-on video
Windows Phone Game Review: Globe Trotter
Globe Trotter is a Windows Phone game with a nice concept but not the best execution. Globe Trotter is a geographical trivia game that asks you to identify geographical locations on a map. Again, the concept is great but it fails in making the game challenging.
You have three gaming levels to Globe Trotter. The Amateur Level calls for you to identify a country, the Intermediate Level calls for you to find the capital city of the country, and the Expert Level directs you to identify various cities and countries. To answer, just tap on the correct spot on the map. Each correct answer earns you points while each incorrect answer deducts points.
Now here's where the game falls short. Globe Trotter uses BING maps but does not remove the map labels. So if you are looking for Venezuela, the map clearly identifies which country is Venezuela. In a nutshell, the map gives you the answer to the trivia question.
I have no clue if you can remove the identification labels on BING maps but the labels seems to take away the challenge of learning your geography. Maybe I'm missing something but it just doesn't seem right for a trivia game to have the answers are staring you in the face. You do have to be in the ball park (or Continent) but I think Globe Trotter would be a more entertaining game if the map labels could be removed and players are required to answer based on their knowledge. Maybe have them hidden for the more difficult levels?
I liked the concept behind Globe Trotter and can easily see the game as an educational tool as well as a trivia game. But the developer needs to find a way to make it more challenging. Globe Trotter is a free game for your Windows Phone and you can find it here at the Windows Phone Marketplace.
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The Wrap: Lumia 900 preorders begin, a Reader’s Choice award win, and new high-calorie handsets
The Wrap is a digest of useful, interesting, and unapologetically random stuff you might have missed from the world of Windows Phone this week. Have a great weekend—and don’t forget to share your own favorite news of the week in comments.
AT&T now taking Nokia Lumia 900 preorders
Want to ensure you get your hands on Nokia’s gorgeous Lumia 900 when it launches in the U.S. on Easter Sunday? Head down to your local AT&T store, which today started to take preorders for the award-winning $99.99 phone. You can also order online. As I noted earlier this week, the phone initially comes in black and cyan. On April 22, AT&T plans to add a high-gloss white version (shown below) to the lineup. AT&T is currently offering a $100 discount to new customers on web orders, meaning you can essentially pick up Nokia’s flagship phone for free. I can’t wait to get my hands on this thing. You?
Windows Phone wins (another) PC Magazine Reader’s Choice Award
PC Magazine readers once again voted Windows Phone their favorite mobile operating system for reliability and overall satisfaction. As the magazine reported this week, Windows Phone scored an 8.7 out of 10, easily beating Android and tying with Apple’s iOS for top honors. The editors wrote: “While Apple and Microsoft rated the same for overall satisfaction, Windows Phone actually received slightly higher satisfaction ratings than iOS in several key areas, including reliability, text messaging, Web browsing, and gaming.” Results by carrier were even more impressive. Samsung’s Windows Phones won a decisive victory on AT&T, while the HTC Trophy tied for top honors on Verizon. Read the full report on the magazine’s site. Last year Windows Phone won Honorable Mention just months after launch.
Windows Phone Minute returns
After a brief pause, Microsoft’s Laura Foy returned this week with a new installment of her video tip series, Windows Phone Minute. This time around she tackles the handy (and sometimes overlooked) Groups feature. Watch it below. I’ve added a link to the series (and her popular Windows Phone app review show, Hot Apps) on the blog’s favorites list. Laura’s vids are also headed to our official YouTube channel. Whether you’re new to the phone or have carried one for a while, Windows Phone Minute is 60 seconds well spent.
Meet the superstar students behind Marketplace
The Verge on Thursday took an in-depth look at a group you don’t often hear about: students making apps for Windows Phone. Read it here. Told mostly through the eyes of students themselves, Tom Warren’s piece focuses on emerging standouts like Quinn Damerell, 21-year old author of the popular Baconit app, and grad student Wilson To, who recently snagged a $75,000 Imagine Cup grant for his work on a Windows Phone app to detect malaria. My buddy Ben Lower, who recently covered our Big App on Campus contest, also makes a cameo.
This Windows Phone takes the cake
Feeling creative? In case you’ve missed it, the wacky folks behind our official Facebook page have issued a call for Windows Phone fan art. To have your tribute featured, just post it to our Wall or tag us. Judging by the entries so far, it appears lots of people are hungry for Windows Phone.
